Last Friday however, it was the staff that couldn’t help but smile after they received news that their grant for a new undercover production area had been approved. 

The Welby Garden Centre received $235,000 in the second round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, an initiative that forms part of the NSW Regional Growth Fund. 

Outgoing member for Wollondilly, Jai Rowell was on site at the garden centre with the premier, Gladys Berejiklian and Nathaniel Smith, Liberal candidate for Wollondilly to make the announcement. 

Read more: Decades on the job: Challenge Southern Highlands employees recognised for long-service

“Welby Garden Centre does an amazing job to help people across the Southern Highlands,” Mr Rowell said. 

The funding will secure the construction of an “enclosed under-cover area with amenities for use by people with disabilities and volunteers to undertake activities to promote social inclusion, employment and skills development.” 

“I look forward to the local community facility improvements that will make the region an even more attractive place to work and raise a family,” Mr Rowell said. 

Welby Garden Centre is run by Challenge Southern Highlands, a community-based charity that operates as an Australian Disability Enterprise, providing employment for people with intellectual disabilities. 

The team of around 50 employees assist in operating the nursery and learn all areas of the business’ operation from gardening and construction to office work behind the scenes. 

Read more: Meet the Challenge Southern Highlands team behind the Welby Garden Centre